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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1836
Sydney Smith to Sir Robert John Wilmot Horton, 8 February 1836
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Author's Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Index
Editor’s Preface
Letters 1801
Letters 1802
Letters 1803
Letters 1804
Letters 1805
Letters 1806
Letters 1807
Letters 1808
Letters 1809
Letters 1810
Letters 1811
Letters 1812
Letters 1813
Letters 1814
Letters 1815
Letters 1816
Letters 1817
Letters 1818
Letters 1819
Letters 1820
Letters 1821
Letters 1822
Letters 1823
Letters 1824
Letters 1825
Letters 1826
Letters 1827
Letters 1828
Letters 1829
Letters 1830
Letters 1831
Letters 1832
Letters 1833
Letters 1834
Letters 1835
Letters 1836
Letters 1837
Letters 1838
Letters 1839
Letters 1840
Letters 1841
Letters 1842
Letters 1843
Letters 1844
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Combe Florey, Feb. 8th, 1836.
Dear Wilmot Horton,

I agree with the Whigs in all they are doing, and have only that mistrust which belongs to the subject of politics, and is inseparable from it. I see no probability of the Tories returning for any time to power. Public opinion is increasing in favour of the Whigs, who are, in my opinion, acting wisely, though boldly; nor do I see any great mistake they have committed.

I have bought a small house in Charles-street, Berkeley-square,—tired of taking a furnished house every year. I am going slowly down the hill of life. One evil in old-age is, that as your time is come, you think every little illness is the beginning of the end. When a man expects to be arrested, every knock at the door is an alarm.

The welfare of the country is unexampled. Politicians should not forget that they have never tried the chances of bad harvests with checked manufactures.

Tufnell is become a great man, loaded with places and honours. Hay is in rather an awkward position,—a Tory in the midst of Whigs. I see him from time to time, and always like his society. I hear you have banished yourself till the year 1840. You will find me at that period at St. Paul’s, against the wall.

I think the Whigs have sent a good and safe man to ——. The only objection to him is, he looks so confoundedly melancholy, that in any public calamity, he will scatter despair and impede the active virtues.

I shall be very glad to see you and yours.

Sydney Smith.